Lego sets have become serious investments for collectors and hobbyists of all ages. Since 2000, the value of certain unopened, mint-condition sets has risen an average of 12% annually, according to an analysis by the British newspaper The Telegraph, compared with annualized gains of 9.6% for gold and 4% for US stocks. Of course, collectible toys are prone to fads—just recall the fate of Beanie Babies in the late 1990s. But Legos should have long-term staying power, especially sophisticated sets that are manufactured in limited quantities, says Terry Kovel, a nationally recognized collectibles expert.
On eBay, prices have soared over the past decade for the most popular discontinued sets. These include the Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon, which retailed for $500 in 2007 and recently sold for $4,051…and Cafe Corner, a 2,056-piece model of a city street corner that cost $130 in 2007 and recently sold for $3,065. Sets with intricate designs and hundreds or thousands of pieces should grow in value over the next decade. How to invest…
Focus on adult-oriented Lego sets, especially new ones, and hold them unopened for at least five years. New sets most likely to gain substantially: Architectural sets such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest building ($40)…iconic vehicles such as the Ferrari F40 ($100)…and sets based on hit movies and TV shows such as Kwik-E-Mart from The Simpsons ($200)…and Star Wars Kylo Ren’s Command Shuttle ($120).
Avoid Marvel and DC Comic Superhero minifigures, plastic characters in variety packs. There have been so many counterfeits that investors are wary, hurting prospects for big price gains. But upcoming Disney-themed minifigures look attractive.
